Jefferson County Crash Leaves Woman Seriously Injured

On May 10, 2011 at approximately 5:08 p.m., 53 year old Violet Clark of Barnhart, Missouri was operating a 2002 Lexus ES300 traveling southbound on Interstate 55; about 1.5 miles south of Richardson Road. At this same time and place, 31 year old Charles Hilke of Festus, Missouri was the operator of a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire also traveling southbound on Interstate 55.

At the above said time, Hilke made a sudden lane change to the right, directly behind Clark’s vehicle. The front of Hilke’s vehicle struck the rear of Clark’s vehicle. Due to the impact, Violet Clark’s vehicle was forced off the right side of the roadway and overturned.

Violet Clark was taken from the scene of the crash to St. Anthony’s Medical Center by Rock Township Ambulance with moderate injuries. Charles Hilke, the at-fault driver, received no injuries and was able to leave the scene unharmed. Both drivers were the sole occupants of their vehicles.

Clark’s vehicle received total damage and was towed from the scene of the crash by Timco Towing. The at-fault vehicle received only moderate damage but was also towed from the scene of the crash by Timco Towing. The injured individual, Clark, was wearing her safety device; however the at-fault driver, Hilke, was not.